Is 3D Printing a Threat to Global Trade? The Trade Effects You Didn't Hear About

In the mid-2000s, the production of hearing aids shifted almost entirely to 3D printing. Using difference-in-differences and synthetic control methods, this paper examines the effects of this shift on trade flows. The analysis finds that trade incr...

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Main Authors:	Freund, Caroline, Mulabdic, Alen, Ruta, Michele
Format:	Working Paper
Language:	English
Published:	World Bank, Washington, DC 2019
Subjects:	3D PRINTING TRADE GLOBAL TRADE COMPARATIVE ADVANTAGE DEVELOPING COUNTRIES TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION SUPPLY CHAIN
Online Access:	http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/152701569432061451/Is-3D-Printing-a-Threat-to-Global-Trade-The-Trade-Effects-You-Didnt-Hear http://hdl.handle.net/10986/32453

id	okr-10986-32453
recordtype	oai_dc
spelling	okr-10986-324532022-09-20T00:11:53Z Is 3D Printing a Threat to Global Trade? The Trade Effects You Didn't Hear About Freund, Caroline Mulabdic, Alen Ruta, Michele 3D PRINTING TRADE GLOBAL TRADE COMPARATIVE ADVANTAGE DEVELOPING COUNTRIES TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION SUPPLY CHAIN In the mid-2000s, the production of hearing aids shifted almost entirely to 3D printing. Using difference-in-differences and synthetic control methods, this paper examines the effects of this shift on trade flows. The analysis finds that trade increased roughly 60 percent following the introduction of 3D printing. Revealed comparative advantage was reinforced, with exports growing most rapidly for middle- and high-income countries. The analysis also finds that developing countries increased their imports of hearing aids as a result of the innovation, benefitting consumers. As a robustness check, the paper examines 35 products that are partially 3D printed and finds positive and significant effects on trade. The results counter widespread views that 3D printing will shorten supply chains and reduce trade. 2019-09-26T15:56:54Z 2019-09-26T15:56:54Z 2019-09 Working Paper http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/152701569432061451/Is-3D-Printing-a-Threat-to-Global-Trade-The-Trade-Effects-You-Didnt-Hear http://hdl.handle.net/10986/32453 English Policy Research Working Paper;No. 9024 CC BY 3.0 IGO http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/igo World Bank World Bank, Washington, DC Publications & Research Publications & Research :: Policy Research Working Paper
repository_type	Digital Repository
institution_category	Foreign Institution
institution	Digital Repositories
building	World Bank Open Knowledge Repository
collection	World Bank
language	English
topic	3D PRINTING TRADE GLOBAL TRADE COMPARATIVE ADVANTAGE DEVELOPING COUNTRIES TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION SUPPLY CHAIN
spellingShingle	3D PRINTING TRADE GLOBAL TRADE COMPARATIVE ADVANTAGE DEVELOPING COUNTRIES TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION SUPPLY CHAIN Freund, Caroline Mulabdic, Alen Ruta, Michele Is 3D Printing a Threat to Global Trade? The Trade Effects You Didn't Hear About
relation	Policy Research Working Paper;No. 9024
description	In the mid-2000s, the production of hearing aids shifted almost entirely to 3D printing. Using difference-in-differences and synthetic control methods, this paper examines the effects of this shift on trade flows. The analysis finds that trade increased roughly 60 percent following the introduction of 3D printing. Revealed comparative advantage was reinforced, with exports growing most rapidly for middle- and high-income countries. The analysis also finds that developing countries increased their imports of hearing aids as a result of the innovation, benefitting consumers. As a robustness check, the paper examines 35 products that are partially 3D printed and finds positive and significant effects on trade. The results counter widespread views that 3D printing will shorten supply chains and reduce trade.
format	Working Paper
author	Freund, Caroline Mulabdic, Alen Ruta, Michele
author_facet	Freund, Caroline Mulabdic, Alen Ruta, Michele
author_sort	Freund, Caroline
title	Is 3D Printing a Threat to Global Trade? The Trade Effects You Didn't Hear About
title_short	Is 3D Printing a Threat to Global Trade? The Trade Effects You Didn't Hear About
title_full	Is 3D Printing a Threat to Global Trade? The Trade Effects You Didn't Hear About
title_fullStr	Is 3D Printing a Threat to Global Trade? The Trade Effects You Didn't Hear About
title_full_unstemmed	Is 3D Printing a Threat to Global Trade? The Trade Effects You Didn't Hear About
title_sort	is 3d printing a threat to global trade? the trade effects you didn't hear about
publisher	World Bank, Washington, DC
publishDate	2019
url	http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/152701569432061451/Is-3D-Printing-a-Threat-to-Global-Trade-The-Trade-Effects-You-Didnt-Hear http://hdl.handle.net/10986/32453
_version_	1764476577814413312

Is 3D Printing a Threat to Global Trade? The Trade Effects You Didn't Hear About

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